Do not pay and do not comply with demands
Paying virtually never stops the threats — it signals you will pay again. The FBI explicitly advises against paying. Complying with demands for more images always escalates the situation. Whatever you fear from exposure, the situation gets dramatically worse if you continue engaging.
Stop all contact with the perpetrator
Block them on every platform. Do not respond. Any response — even saying you won't pay — tells them you're still engaged. Silence combined with reporting is the correct approach. If they escalate to contacting people you know, document everything and report to law enforcement immediately.
Document everything before blocking
Screenshot all messages, profiles, usernames, email addresses, payment requests, and any images they sent of themselves. Save screenshots with timestamps. This evidence is critical for law enforcement. Preserve everything before blocking.
Report to the FBI at ic3.gov
File a report at ic3.gov (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center). Sextortion is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2261A (cyberstalking) and related statutes. The FBI has dedicated teams for sextortion cases. You can also call your local FBI field office.
Request image removal from platforms
StopNCII.org (run by the Revenge Porn Helpline) creates a hash of your images so platforms can proactively detect and remove them without you re-uploading them. Meta, TikTok, Microsoft, and others participate. This service is free and preserves your privacy.
Contact crisis support
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI) crisis line: 1-844-878-CCRI (2274) — free, confidential support and legal resource referrals. If a minor is involved: NCMEC CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or CyberTipline.org. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 if the perpetrator is a current or former partner.
Know your state laws
As of 2024, 48 states plus D.C. have laws criminalizing non-consensual intimate image sharing. Many states also have specific sextortion statutes. The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative maintains a state law map at cybercivilrights.org/revenge-porn-laws. A local attorney specializing in cyber crimes can advise on civil remedies.
How Sextortion Typically Starts
- Stranger on dating app or social media builds rapport then requests intimate images
- Hacked account reveals old intimate photos
- Fake "I have your webcam footage" email (often a bluff)
- Former intimate partner threatening to share images
- Fake model/photographer recruiter asking for private photos
️ Red Flags
- New contact wants to move off the original platform quickly
- Profile seems too attractive or interested too quickly
- Requests for "private" photos early in the relationship
- Unusual insistence on video calls (may be recording)
- Sends you a link to a "new platform" to continue chatting
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the FBI actually investigate my case?
Yes — the FBI investigates sextortion, particularly cases involving minors or organized criminal networks. Filing at ic3.gov creates a record and feeds into ongoing investigations. Even if your individual case doesn't lead to an immediate arrest, the data helps identify patterns and repeat offenders.
I paid once. Should I pay again?
No. Contact the FBI immediately and document what you paid and how (cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfer). Paying once increases the likelihood of further demands. Payment information can sometimes help investigators track perpetrators.
The person says they'll send images to my family in 24 hours if I don't pay. What do I do?
This is a pressure tactic — the deadline is almost always fake. Do not pay. Block, document, report to ic3.gov, and call CCRI at 1-844-878-2274. Some people choose to proactively tell trusted contacts, which removes the attacker's leverage entirely.